Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them; from the cloud came a voice, "This is my beloved Son. Listen to him." Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone but Jesus
alone with them.  Mark 9:7-8

Imagine being Peter, James, or John and being asked by Jesus to come away for a bit to pray up high on a mountain. You’re feeling special for being chosen from among the twelve and you wonder what might happen. Every day seems to be a new adventure with this rabbi. But lately, He’s been saying some different things that you’re not so sure how to take. He’s been talking about suffering and death, taking up crosses, and He told Peter, “Get behind me Satan.” when he tried to stop Him from saying such things. It’s all been a bit confusing when you thought He had come to save your people. How would that happen if the suffering was going to continue?

Then up on the mountain, you see the most beautiful sight. Jesus is suddenly transfigured before you, glowing with a robe as white as you could ever have imagined. And the two heroes of your faith are suddenly standing beside Him, conversing with Jesus. You are a mixture of emotions. Joy, awe, fear, excitement, curiosity. They are all bouncing around within you. Peter starts talking about tents, but all you can focus on is the sight of Jesus before you and the feeling of peace that starts to flood your heart. Then a cloud appears and covers you as a voice you’ve never heard before speaks, “This is my beloved son. Listen to him.” As the words flow over you, you fall to your knees and bow your face to the ground, thanking God for being in this place at this moment. And when you look up, all you see is Jesus. 

Dr. John Bergsma says that, “The Transfiguration was a consolation to strengthen the faith of the three primary Apostles as they undertook with Jesus his ‘death march’ to Jerusalem.” (The Word of the Lord: Reflections on the Sunday Mass Readings pg. 80) This was no accidental occurrence. Jesus knew in advance that He was to die and rise from the dead. He knew that this would be devastating for His followers. And so, this moment is meant to give them some clarity, a reminder of who He is when things get dark, and to allow them to bolster the others when they need it. 

At this point in our Lenten journey, we are starting our second week. We are going to see and hear more and more from Jesus about His passion and the suffering that is about to occur. The Church in her wisdom has given us a reminder through this Gospel to see who Jesus really is. It is our job now to keep our eyes focused on this reality in a world of suffering and confusion. Jesus is not like any other man. He is our God made flesh who came to fight for us and He won. Here is our transfiguration moment, to see Jesus clearly and be consoled as we carry our own cross. Take some time today to bask in His glory and as the voice from heaven said, “Listen to Him.” 

Reflection Questions: Ponder this quote from St. Josemaria Escriva today. “If you really want to be a penitent soul - both penitent and cheerful - you must above all stick to your daily periods of prayer, which should be intimate, generous, and not cut short. And you must make sure that those minutes of prayer are not done only when you feel the need, but at fixed times, whenever it is possible. Don’t neglect these details. If you subject yourself totally to this daily worship of God, I can assure you that you will always be happy.” What is God saying to you here? 

Prayer: Dear Jesus, help me to see who You really are. Speak to me and open my ears to hear Your voice, my heart to embrace the words, and my life to reflect Your truths, so that I can carry my own cross with the grace with which You carried Yours. Amen.